Environment

OMV Petrom Group’s HSSE Directive – Sets the principles and rules for environmental management. It provides a framework for how we manage all HSSE topics to protect people, environment, assets, and reputation, in line with our HSSE Policy and in view of our HSSE Vision “ZERO harm – NO losses”.

OMV Petrom Group’s Environmental Management Standard supports our commitment to minimize our impact on the environment through pollution prevention, reduction of emissions and efficient use of energy and natural resources along the value chain. This Standard establishes the key responsibilities and requires that all relevant activities (including investment, acquisitions, and divestment) implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) consistent with ISO 14001 and adhere to the minimum requirements listed including energy use, air emissions, GHG and climate change, water, waste, and biodiversity management. In 2021, OMV Petrom held valid certifications in accordance with ISO 14001 for the following operations:

  • OMV Petrom S.A., Upstream Business Division, Gas Pipeline Management System
  • OMV Petrom S.A., Upstream Business Division, Workover and Drilling Management System
  • OMV Petrom S.A., Refining Business Unit: Petrobrazi Refinery, external fuel Tankfarms and Petrom City
  • OMV Petrom Marketing S.R.L. (OMV branded filling stations), OMV Bulgaria OOD and OMV Srbija DOO

 

OMV Petrom S.A., CCPP Brazi, Downstream Gas, gas and power supply activities.

The OMV Petrom Group Environmental Management Standard stipulates an assessment of environmental impacts and risks and adherence to environmental performance requirements in terms of energy use, emissions into the atmosphere, water use and discharge, the use of raw materials, waste management, hazardous substance handling, and biodiversity and ecosystem protection. Before undertaking new operational activities or entering new countries, we perform environmental risk assessments, including evaluations of local legislation, the potential impact of our activities on sensitive and protected areas, and the effects on endangered species. The OMV Petrom Group Environmental Management Standard also defines the process of carrying out Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs). Preventive and mitigation measures as well as the monitoring program to ensure implementation of the proposed measures are documented in an Environmental and Social Management Plan. The final ESIA report is submitted to the local regulator or lender (whichever is applicable) for review, public disclosure and approval. The OMV Petrom Group Environmental Management Standard has been approved by the Executive Board.

 

Environmental risks and opportunities include regulatory, operational, reputational, and financial drivers and specifically relate to climate change, water availability for operations, and the impact of energy, climate, and water policies. The management of environment-related risks is part of OMV Petrom’s EWRM processes as described in the Risk Management section. Digital technologies are used to monitor and manage environmental risks through a special risk management IT tool – the Active Risk Management System (ARMS). This tool allows us to better integrate environmental risk scenarios with other HSSE and business risks. Identified and assessed risks are controlled and mitigated at all organizational levels thanks to clearly defined risk policies and responsibilities. Before undertaking new operational activities or entering new countries, we perform environmental risk assessments, including evaluations of local legislation, the potential impact of our activities on sensitive and protected areas, and the effects on endangered species. Each subsequent phase of project implementation is accompanied by a detailed assessment of environmental risks.

Strategic risks and opportunities (e.g., related to climate change or water stress) are assessed in a top-down process, while a bottom-up process with a standardized methodology is used to assess environmental aspects, impacts, and risks, including legal compliance risks, in our operations. The framework and methodology for our coordinated Group-wide Environmental Risk Assessment are based on best practice, meet ISO 14001 requirements, and ensure the consistent qualitative assessment of operational risks related to the environment. The resulting environmental risk database includes information on existing controls for environmental risks and future actions required. We promote environmental communication including via events, awareness campaigns and round tables. Examples include the OMV Petrom Environmental Awards 2021 – webcast event with over 1300 participants when the Executive Board awarded 70 winners with significant contribution to environmental performance in 2021, the awareness campaigns in Petrobrazi and PEC Turnu as well as the Environmental Round Table, knowledge exchange platform targeting the HSSE Managers and Environmental experts.

We report OMV Petrom’s environmental costs and investments according to EMA (Environmental Management Accounting) methodology developed by IFAC (International Federation of Accountants). The reporting boundaries for this indicator category are OMV Petrom S.A., OMV Petrom Aviation SRL and OMV Petrom Marketing SRL.

In 2021, our total environmental costs (accounting for environmental protection expenditure, including depreciation and environmental investments for assets put into operation) amounted to EUR 174.49 mn (2020: EUR 148.82 mn). According to the EMA approach, the environmental investments for assets put into operation in 2021 totaled EUR 28.59 mn (2020 EUR 36.26 mn). In 2021, we paid EUR 0.076 mn (2020: EUR 0.047 mn) in fines and penalties. These sanctions resulted mainly from environmental incidents, related to spills. No paid fines were above EUR 10,000 in any of our operations in 2021.

Our approach to Environmental protection actions contribute to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 – target 3.9 through our protection measures related to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
  • SDG 12 – target 12.4 by employing an environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes
  • SDG 15 – target 15.5 by mitigating our impact on biodiversity through studies and measures.